Slums on Fire, Infestation in Terajin

This has not been a good year for the city of Terajin.

Hot on the heels of news of a breakout from their renowned prison system, the Herald has been receiving reports that the Slums have seen record levels of devastation, due to a magickal explosion of unknown origins.

Possibly linked are the reports of an infestation of hideous monsters of all stripes originating from the Slums region spreading throughout the city, chased out of their homes by what appear to be fiends of demonic origin.  Beggars, prostitutes, and the poor are swarming the civilized regions of the city, much to the dismay of the more well-heeled citizenry.

“It’s a bloody crime,” said a local merchant who preferred to remain anonymous (we prefer he didn’t; his name is Eggleton Biscuitface).  ”There I was, trying to buy a slave for my butler to help him with his shoeshining duties, when some filthy tart comes screaming by weeping and wailing about the Hells opening up.  As if the Hells would open here, in Terajin.  Trinsic is more like it, with all those meddlesome Daelows chanters.”

Voletta Yawnstopper, a filthy tart, had this to say: “There be monsters in the Slums!  Big scary ones, with wicked teeth and pointy black bits!  It’s the end!  The end!  Run for yer lives!”

City officials said that while authorities are working hard to return the residents of the Slums to their homes by force, relief efforts to the Slums were ‘moving at their own pace.’

“They don’t really pay taxes,” said City Official and Terajin Wizard Jack Ash.  ”So we don’t really care.”

Zombies have also been spotted throughout the city.  Citizens and visitors alike are advised to stay indoors when possible, and to aim for the head if outdoor travel is necessary.

Count-In-G Daelows

The Herald has received word that a Royal Writ of Summons has been drafted for the Baron Leon Vladmir Belrotte. A rarity, even during times of war, the Baron’s Writ is even more remarkable because it is being issued to a man who has never served in the Daelowsian Army, and who has only had a substantial presence amongst the nobility of Greater Daelows for a handful of months. For such a youthful minor noble to receive such an honor may be unprecedented in all of Daelowsian history.

The Writ elevates the Baron Belrotte to the Noble Rank of Count and confers all the associated privileges and responsibilities on the House Belrotte. Though it does not explicitly state which lands are to become Lord Belrotte’s Countship, it is expected that the some or all of the holdings of the Deposed Marquess D’Ergland may be included in the formation of the Belrotte County. The Baron, himself, has familial claim to a small rural Barony on the outskirts of the kingdom, however the lands are currently administered by the Viscount Tremway in settlement for outstanding debts of the family Belrotte.

The Writ cites extraordinary braveness and loyal service to the Krown in the administration of justice and the quelling of lawless elements within the Capitol. Our readers will recall a series of articles detailing the Baron’s exploits during his push to restore order to Greater Daelows. During his service as Deputy Comissioner of the People’s Guard, the Baron oversaw a major reduction in crime and personally led several operations to eliminate the organized criminal elements which had been expanding within Daelows. During this time, the Baron survived several assassination attempts, and it is likely this willingness to risk life and limb which won the House Belrotte his newly exalted position within the Daelowsian Gentry.

Our sources report that not all the Court is so taken with the Baron Belrotte as is the Royal House of Silverblade. Many allies of the House D’Ergland see the Belrotte Countship and assumption of the position of Comissioner of the People’s Guard as a outright usurpation of the proper position of the Marquess, however, the actions of the Marquess D’Ergland have made him a pariah within both the gentry and the common folk and there are few who will speak openly against the Baron Belrotte on the Marquess’ behalf.  Still, rumors about possible criminal activities of the Baron Belrotte himself are said to be flying at court, even as he is welcomed into the upper echelons of the Capitol’s ranks of nobles. Despite the hearsay, no solid evidence has surfaced to implicate the Baron in his rumored misdeeds. A shortage of ranking Nobles willing or able to assume the hazardous position of People’s Guard High Comissioner may have influenced the King’s decision to issue the Writ of Summons.

Nobility on the Lam

All the Kings Horses
and All the Kings Men
couldn’t keep the Marquess

D’Ergland Within.

Or so goes the latest popular ditty in the capital of Daelows these days. Several days ago, the People’s Guard released a statement to the Herald that the Marquess had gone missing, disappeared while under the protection of the Daelows Army, the People’s Guard, and Baron Leon Belrotte’s personal guard. It was further revealed that the Marquess is considered a prime suspect in the investigation of a murder of a Daelowsian socialite during the Guardsman’s Ball last month.

The People’s Guard reports that it appears the Marquess escaped via a secret tunnel dug from the outside of his estate. The nobleman is suspected of having escaped from protective custody to avoid facing trial.
In a move customarily reserved for those already convicted of treason or other high crimes, the Marquess has been stripped of his title and lands, and a royal warrant has been issued for his arrest.

We must remind our readers that, though currently deposed, the Marquess D’Ergland is still considered nobility, and it is therefore prohibited for common folk to approach, detain, or otherwise interfere with the business of the deposed Marquess under penalty of death.